Seattle meetup pics January 4, 2005 12:03 PM Subscribe
Seattle meetup pics and shoutouts now posted here.
No ass shoutouts? Lame....
Looks like you all had a blast though!
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:17 PM on January 4, 2005
Looks like you all had a blast though!
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:17 PM on January 4, 2005
Ack, I have a bittersweet crush on both cirocco and astruc now.
posted by sciurus at 1:02 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by sciurus at 1:02 PM on January 4, 2005
Ack, I have a bittersweet crush on both cirocco and astruc now.
caitlinb can act pretty hot too...
posted by agropyron at 1:14 PM on January 4, 2005
caitlinb can act pretty hot too...
posted by agropyron at 1:14 PM on January 4, 2005
Nothing is grosser than watching all of the guys salivate over pictures of females whenever there is a MeFi meetup post.
posted by xmutex at 1:24 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by xmutex at 1:24 PM on January 4, 2005
I apologize. I will refrain from failing to compliment women I do not know.
posted by sciurus at 1:30 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by sciurus at 1:30 PM on January 4, 2005
Fear not, sciurus, I thought it was sweet.
Nothing is grosser than watching a random guy presume to speak for me on the Intarweb, for I am but a weak female and cannot speak for myself.
posted by astruc at 1:36 PM on January 4, 2005
Nothing is grosser than watching a random guy presume to speak for me on the Intarweb, for I am but a weak female and cannot speak for myself.
posted by astruc at 1:36 PM on January 4, 2005
Yes, I meant to say exactly that you are a weak female. Thank you.
posted by xmutex at 1:38 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by xmutex at 1:38 PM on January 4, 2005
Nothing is grosser than watching all of the guys salivate over pictures of females whenever there is a MeFi meetup post.
What if all the guys salivated over a cat turd?
That'd be grosser, I bet.
posted by jonmc at 1:42 PM on January 4, 2005
What if all the guys salivated over a cat turd?
That'd be grosser, I bet.
posted by jonmc at 1:42 PM on January 4, 2005
Are we talking fresh cat turd here? Or like all petrified in the litter? You'd have to clarify and then I could get back to you with an assessment.
posted by xmutex at 1:43 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by xmutex at 1:43 PM on January 4, 2005
caitlinb is very cute indeed, and I'm an old lady saying that. cirocco is pretty also, but she needs to learn not to have her gums show when she smiles. My grandmother spent a couple of hours once teaching me not to have my gums show when I smiled, and it was one of the most useful lessons I ever had.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:47 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:47 PM on January 4, 2005
Oh, and I have told astruc how pretty I think she is on many occasions at 3WA, so I don't need to repeat it here. Whoops! I just did!
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:48 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:48 PM on January 4, 2005
And, just because I'm an equal-opportunity leerer, I want to say that all of those guys are cute, but black8 and alexgb are especially dreamboat-esque. You Seattleites are a fine-looking bunch; must be the humidity.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:50 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:50 PM on January 4, 2005
What about Jennifer Aniston? Cute / not cute?
Paige Davis? I'd hit it.
Jessica Simpson? NOT CUTE!
Jude Law? Wait, shit, that's a dude. Nevermind.
posted by xmutex at 1:53 PM on January 4, 2005
Paige Davis? I'd hit it.
Jessica Simpson? NOT CUTE!
Jude Law? Wait, shit, that's a dude. Nevermind.
posted by xmutex at 1:53 PM on January 4, 2005
It is way to early to even think about stuff like that! Whatever happened to holding hands?
posted by sciurus at 1:58 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by sciurus at 1:58 PM on January 4, 2005
Holding hands is so 04, sciurus. Get with the tour.
Lovely photos. The dank Seatlle air seems to have given everyone a goofy gossamer glow.
Or that may be the beer. Well, whatever -- keep on it!
posted by chicobangs at 2:13 PM on January 4, 2005
Lovely photos. The dank Seatlle air seems to have given everyone a goofy gossamer glow.
Or that may be the beer. Well, whatever -- keep on it!
posted by chicobangs at 2:13 PM on January 4, 2005
I have it on good authority that a stranger complimenting a woman's appearance, especially on mefi, is undoudtedly sexist and demeans them. Actually, I think it's that mentioning a woman's appearance at all is sexist. Just another example of the horrid boyzone that mefi is, I guess.
When I comment on mefi meetup pics, I usually compliment the men on their appearance, as well. That's not sexist, though, so I guess I'll continue.
Who knew Keyser was such a hottie!
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 2:59 PM on January 4, 2005
When I comment on mefi meetup pics, I usually compliment the men on their appearance, as well. That's not sexist, though, so I guess I'll continue.
Who knew Keyser was such a hottie!
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 2:59 PM on January 4, 2005
EB that's the fourth time in the past two days you've made me laugh - whatever it is you're drinking, smoking, or muttering as a mantra, don't stop.
posted by Ryvar at 4:01 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Ryvar at 4:01 PM on January 4, 2005
The dank Seatlle air seems to have given everyone a goofy gossamer glow.
That's a flash plus the auto-enhance feature in Kodak EasyShare. (I had to take all the red-eye out of the photos I took, anyhow, nearly everyone had some.)
(All of the guys are cute, except me)
posted by kindall at 4:04 PM on January 4, 2005
That's a flash plus the auto-enhance feature in Kodak EasyShare. (I had to take all the red-eye out of the photos I took, anyhow, nearly everyone had some.)
(All of the guys are cute, except me)
posted by kindall at 4:04 PM on January 4, 2005
Holding hands is so 04, sciurus. Get with the tour.
But I like holding hands. Wait....you mean ones that are still attached to a person, never mind.
posted by jonmc at 4:06 PM on January 4, 2005
But I like holding hands. Wait....you mean ones that are still attached to a person, never mind.
posted by jonmc at 4:06 PM on January 4, 2005
Yeah, I think holding hands are sweet. I keep a pair on my desk to cheer me up when I'm down. They're starting to smell a bit, which helps, too.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 4:21 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 4:21 PM on January 4, 2005
"EB that's the fourth time in the past two days you've made me laugh - whatever it is you're drinking, smoking, or muttering as a mantra, don't stop."
I live to make you laugh, Ryvar. I'm bursting with satisfaction and self-esteem right now, I can tell you.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 4:23 PM on January 4, 2005
I live to make you laugh, Ryvar. I'm bursting with satisfaction and self-esteem right now, I can tell you.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 4:23 PM on January 4, 2005
Sidhedevil said I'm cuuute!! (*bounds off into the night*)
Yeah. T'was the beer...
posted by black8 at 4:38 PM on January 4, 2005
Yeah. T'was the beer...
posted by black8 at 4:38 PM on January 4, 2005
I've added captions to my photos. I didn't catch a couple people's names, so if you're one of 'em (or know one of 'em) e-mail me.
posted by kindall at 4:52 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by kindall at 4:52 PM on January 4, 2005
Roll call + a few more pix + a dark video clip here.
posted by mwhybark at 6:23 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by mwhybark at 6:23 PM on January 4, 2005
cirocco is pretty also, but she needs to learn not to have her gums show when she smiles. My grandmother spent a couple of hours once teaching me not to have my gums show when I smiled, and it was one of the most useful lessons I ever had.
I cannot fathom the mind that, upon seeing a picture of another human being clearly having a great time, has the first thought of That woman is not smiling correctly. I need to publicly instruct her on how maximize her attractiveness at all times, so that on the next occasion at which she is enjoying herself, she stops and considers how she must look to others, and contains her mirth behind a more demure veneer.
Seriously, how depressing. I refuse to share your crippling self-consciousness, and will continue to laugh broadly and loudly at ink drawings of dead rabbits without any thought as to how pretty I may or may not be while doing so. My grandma thinks I'm cute enough already.
posted by cirocco at 8:02 PM on January 4, 2005
I cannot fathom the mind that, upon seeing a picture of another human being clearly having a great time, has the first thought of That woman is not smiling correctly. I need to publicly instruct her on how maximize her attractiveness at all times, so that on the next occasion at which she is enjoying herself, she stops and considers how she must look to others, and contains her mirth behind a more demure veneer.
Seriously, how depressing. I refuse to share your crippling self-consciousness, and will continue to laugh broadly and loudly at ink drawings of dead rabbits without any thought as to how pretty I may or may not be while doing so. My grandma thinks I'm cute enough already.
posted by cirocco at 8:02 PM on January 4, 2005
...and my crush grows stronger, like a warm southerly wind.
posted by sciurus at 8:26 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by sciurus at 8:26 PM on January 4, 2005
May cirocco never contain her mirth behind a more demure veneer.
Unless it's in the privacy of her own home, in the company of other consenting adults, etc. etc.
posted by bingo at 8:55 PM on January 4, 2005
Unless it's in the privacy of her own home, in the company of other consenting adults, etc. etc.
posted by bingo at 8:55 PM on January 4, 2005
ONLY XMUTEX MAY DETERMINE THE PROPER MORAL TONE FOR ANY THREAD -
SO LET IT BE WRITTEN, SO LET IT BE DONE
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:04 PM on January 4, 2005
SO LET IT BE WRITTEN, SO LET IT BE DONE
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:04 PM on January 4, 2005
We have video of the ladies over here. No b00bs, no forehead cocks.
posted by astruc at 9:40 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by astruc at 9:40 PM on January 4, 2005
I'm thinking Sidhedevil's comment was not serious. I could be wrong.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 10:01 PM on January 4, 2005
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 10:01 PM on January 4, 2005
thanks danelope! I miss you guys.
(All of the guys are cute, except me)
why be cute when you can look boss?
posted by jessamyn at 7:47 AM on January 5, 2005
(All of the guys are cute, except me)
why be cute when you can look boss?
posted by jessamyn at 7:47 AM on January 5, 2005
Hehe! I love caitlinb's outrage in that movie.
"Act hot? ACT hot?"
cirocco is pretty also, but she needs to learn not to have her gums show when she smiles.
You know, the dentist can always trim those gums back to make this less of a problem. It's probably a good idea anyway, since most people's gums aren't even. And you know there's only one thing worse than a woman whose gums show when she smiles, and that's a woman whose UNEVEN gums show when she smiles. Good god, lady, put a bag over your head until you can get an appointment.
[kidding - agree with cirocco that that comment was a little fucked up, and hope, with EB, that it was a joke, albeit a lame one]
posted by scarabic at 9:59 AM on January 5, 2005
"Act hot? ACT hot?"
cirocco is pretty also, but she needs to learn not to have her gums show when she smiles.
You know, the dentist can always trim those gums back to make this less of a problem. It's probably a good idea anyway, since most people's gums aren't even. And you know there's only one thing worse than a woman whose gums show when she smiles, and that's a woman whose UNEVEN gums show when she smiles. Good god, lady, put a bag over your head until you can get an appointment.
[kidding - agree with cirocco that that comment was a little fucked up, and hope, with EB, that it was a joke, albeit a lame one]
posted by scarabic at 9:59 AM on January 5, 2005
It was a joke for me, but real for my grandmother. It actually is something that people teach models, actors, beauty pageant contestants, and other people who are going to be photographed smiling a lot.
I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that nobody would think that I was really evaluating candid snapshots by the standards of professional photographers, and people at an informal gathering by the standards of professional models--and, in fact, I was trying to make a comment on the weird convention of people commenting on others' appearances instead of saying "You guys look like you're having a great time!"
I should have remembered that cirocco isn't a regular reader here and doesn't necessarily have any sense of my point of view on this.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:25 AM on January 5, 2005
I assumed, perhaps wrongly, that nobody would think that I was really evaluating candid snapshots by the standards of professional photographers, and people at an informal gathering by the standards of professional models--and, in fact, I was trying to make a comment on the weird convention of people commenting on others' appearances instead of saying "You guys look like you're having a great time!"
I should have remembered that cirocco isn't a regular reader here and doesn't necessarily have any sense of my point of view on this.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:25 AM on January 5, 2005
But thanks for the free psychoanalysis anyway, cirocco!
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:26 AM on January 5, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:26 AM on January 5, 2005
I think it's fair trade for the free faceshot critique!
posted by scarabic at 10:32 AM on January 5, 2005
posted by scarabic at 10:32 AM on January 5, 2005
scarabic, mine was a joke. But I'm amused watching you suck up to the pretty girl by slagging the old lady!
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:39 AM on January 5, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:39 AM on January 5, 2005
cirocco, I am sorry, though, for making a joke that apparently made you uncomfortable.
I guess I thought that you, as a serious photographer (IIRC?) would have come across the "gum" thing at some point in your life and recognized it as a silly bit of old-school portrait-photography lore.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:47 AM on January 5, 2005
I guess I thought that you, as a serious photographer (IIRC?) would have come across the "gum" thing at some point in your life and recognized it as a silly bit of old-school portrait-photography lore.
posted by Sidhedevil at 10:47 AM on January 5, 2005
thanks danelope! I miss you guys.
I was terribly dismayed when I realized that I had misjudged the character length and would have to resort to an AIMism, but we had gone too far to turn back. Tears well in my eyes just thinking about it.
Seattle gatherings are always slightly less illustrious in this post-apocalyptic Jessamynless wasteland. The initiates, however, seem poised to restore much of the brainyhotchick factor. </apparently obligatory ham-fisted post-meetup flirting>
posted by Danelope at 12:11 PM on January 5, 2005
I was terribly dismayed when I realized that I had misjudged the character length and would have to resort to an AIMism, but we had gone too far to turn back. Tears well in my eyes just thinking about it.
Seattle gatherings are always slightly less illustrious in this post-apocalyptic Jessamynless wasteland. The initiates, however, seem poised to restore much of the brainyhotchick factor. </apparently obligatory ham-fisted post-meetup flirting>
posted by Danelope at 12:11 PM on January 5, 2005
"But thanks for the free psychoanalysis anyway, cirocco!"
...then, in a following comment:
"But I'm amused watching you suck up to the pretty girl by slagging the old lady!"
Hmm.
Well, I correctly guessed your intent, sidhedevil. But obviously many others did not. It's not clear to me why you'd be very annoyed at cirocco for a misunderstanding that many others shared and concerning what she thought was a deeply insensitive comment on your part. Surely her "psychoanalysis" on the basis of that understandable misconstrual is forgivable? With no snark? (But your last comment was nice.)
Also, cirocco is very near my age, and I'm 40. I didn't have the impression that you were very far from my age, sidhedevil, certainly not that you were hugely older than me. So the "pretty girl" vs. "old lady" thing is misguded.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:13 PM on January 5, 2005
...then, in a following comment:
"But I'm amused watching you suck up to the pretty girl by slagging the old lady!"
Hmm.
Well, I correctly guessed your intent, sidhedevil. But obviously many others did not. It's not clear to me why you'd be very annoyed at cirocco for a misunderstanding that many others shared and concerning what she thought was a deeply insensitive comment on your part. Surely her "psychoanalysis" on the basis of that understandable misconstrual is forgivable? With no snark? (But your last comment was nice.)
Also, cirocco is very near my age, and I'm 40. I didn't have the impression that you were very far from my age, sidhedevil, certainly not that you were hugely older than me. So the "pretty girl" vs. "old lady" thing is misguded.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:13 PM on January 5, 2005
As a member I admire and respect, Sidhedevil (following the TVM thread and others), your comment just seemed a little out of character for you. My reaction was more WTF than STFU. I wasn't getting your humor, obviously, but after your explanations of classic headshot photographer knee-slappers, I don't feel too stupid about that. Anyway, if you think I come here to suck up to girls, I only regret that we haven't formed equally positive opinions of one another. Actually my hands are pretty full sucking up to the pretty girl I live with.
posted by scarabic at 12:18 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by scarabic at 12:18 PM on January 5, 2005
Geez, EB, I was joking about the "free psychoanalysis". I really need that sarcasm-mark.
And I don't think "many others" were confused about my comment (I count two), nor do I think a comment about gums--even if meant seriously--would be "deeply insensitive". "Slightly insensitive", maybe. "Odd", sure. But not "deeply insensitive". I mean, unless the gums in question were suppurating or something, as opposed to pink and healthy like cirocco's.
Having said that, I hardly meant to make cirocco feel uncomfortable for even a nanosecond, hence my apology. If I hadn't, perhaps erroneously, recalled that she was a photographer and thought that therefore she would get that it was a joke, I wouldn't have made that joke.
And it did seem to me that scarabic was trying to score points with cirocco by slagging me off, and I had, indeed, described myself as an "old lady" upthread.
But all of this is silly. What I meant to say, ill-advised jokes aside, was that everyone in the Seattle meetup photos looks like an interesting, dynamic person having a lovely time, and there is certainly nothing more appealing than that!
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:25 PM on January 5, 2005
And I don't think "many others" were confused about my comment (I count two), nor do I think a comment about gums--even if meant seriously--would be "deeply insensitive". "Slightly insensitive", maybe. "Odd", sure. But not "deeply insensitive". I mean, unless the gums in question were suppurating or something, as opposed to pink and healthy like cirocco's.
Having said that, I hardly meant to make cirocco feel uncomfortable for even a nanosecond, hence my apology. If I hadn't, perhaps erroneously, recalled that she was a photographer and thought that therefore she would get that it was a joke, I wouldn't have made that joke.
And it did seem to me that scarabic was trying to score points with cirocco by slagging me off, and I had, indeed, described myself as an "old lady" upthread.
But all of this is silly. What I meant to say, ill-advised jokes aside, was that everyone in the Seattle meetup photos looks like an interesting, dynamic person having a lovely time, and there is certainly nothing more appealing than that!
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:25 PM on January 5, 2005
scarabic, I guess I misinterpreted your disinterested chivalrous impulse. My bad.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:26 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:26 PM on January 5, 2005
And, scarabic, you are absolutely correct in pointing out that sometimes my humor is so weirdly obscure as to seem "autistic" (my husband's word). I am, frankly, lucky that it doesn't offend people more often.
So, um, sorry, everyone. I promise to take a photo of my gums at the Somerville meetup and offer it for group critique.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:29 PM on January 5, 2005
So, um, sorry, everyone. I promise to take a photo of my gums at the Somerville meetup and offer it for group critique.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:29 PM on January 5, 2005
"Chivalrous" is a loaded term, as I well know because I've notably thrown it in someone's face lately. Scarabic's rebuke was, in motivation, gender neutral, I'm sure.
Points taken otherwise, though.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:32 PM on January 5, 2005
Points taken otherwise, though.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 12:32 PM on January 5, 2005
I think I started all of this somehow. Damn my ham-fists!
posted by sciurus at 1:00 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by sciurus at 1:00 PM on January 5, 2005
{Homer Simpson} Mmmm, ham-fists....{/Homer Simpson}
And, yes, I meant that I misinterpreted scarabic's utterly gender-neutral courtesy. Also, I apologize to any people with autism reading this thread who are thinking "Mr. Sidhedevil is an idiot--my jokes are much funnier than his wife's!" And I apologize to Matt Groening for the unauthorized use of the character he created, above.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:05 PM on January 5, 2005
And, yes, I meant that I misinterpreted scarabic's utterly gender-neutral courtesy. Also, I apologize to any people with autism reading this thread who are thinking "Mr. Sidhedevil is an idiot--my jokes are much funnier than his wife's!" And I apologize to Matt Groening for the unauthorized use of the character he created, above.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:05 PM on January 5, 2005
Is everybody cool? I'm cool now. I hope cirocco agrees.
I am simultaneously bemused and loath to jump between Sidhedevil and EB on the topic of "chivalry" (EEEEK!) but there is one thing that's worth mentioning, I guess. I once had a gf who had a gummy smile (no disresepct there, it's the truth) and occasionally someone would point it out as unattractive. I found it just about as bad as commenting on a woman's weight, complexion, or any other surface characteristic, except worse, in that it made her self-conscious about her *smile* of all things. How evil is that? She went into a new dentist one day and he did, in fact, offer to "correct" it for her by shaving her gums down with a scalpel. Apparently, he'd just done the procedure on his wife, and he said it looked great. GAH! So if I was rushing to anyone's rescue, I think it was hers.
But given that men rarely get this kind of commentary / public critique of their physical flaws (seriously, y'all, cirocco's smile is the least of your problems up there in Seattle) I don't know if my chafing at the comment could be charaterised exactly as "gender neutral." I think I saw it as sexism, but the kind only one woman can deal to another. In all honesty, I knew Sidhedevil was a woman but that was it. I consider her an unlikely source for sexism of any kind, and was pretty confused by the whole thing.
But it wasn't, and I'm all good now. I hope you don't feel too bedraggled for just the one obscure comment, Sidhedevil. That wasn't my intention. And I'm sorry too for contributing to this derail of an otherwise perfectly good meetup debrief. These are supposed to be good fun.
posted by scarabic at 1:26 PM on January 5, 2005
I am simultaneously bemused and loath to jump between Sidhedevil and EB on the topic of "chivalry" (EEEEK!) but there is one thing that's worth mentioning, I guess. I once had a gf who had a gummy smile (no disresepct there, it's the truth) and occasionally someone would point it out as unattractive. I found it just about as bad as commenting on a woman's weight, complexion, or any other surface characteristic, except worse, in that it made her self-conscious about her *smile* of all things. How evil is that? She went into a new dentist one day and he did, in fact, offer to "correct" it for her by shaving her gums down with a scalpel. Apparently, he'd just done the procedure on his wife, and he said it looked great. GAH! So if I was rushing to anyone's rescue, I think it was hers.
But given that men rarely get this kind of commentary / public critique of their physical flaws (seriously, y'all, cirocco's smile is the least of your problems up there in Seattle) I don't know if my chafing at the comment could be charaterised exactly as "gender neutral." I think I saw it as sexism, but the kind only one woman can deal to another. In all honesty, I knew Sidhedevil was a woman but that was it. I consider her an unlikely source for sexism of any kind, and was pretty confused by the whole thing.
But it wasn't, and I'm all good now. I hope you don't feel too bedraggled for just the one obscure comment, Sidhedevil. That wasn't my intention. And I'm sorry too for contributing to this derail of an otherwise perfectly good meetup debrief. These are supposed to be good fun.
posted by scarabic at 1:26 PM on January 5, 2005
Eek. Are you serious about the "shaved gums"? Because that's just ooky.
For the kind of "smile technique" dogma I was thinking of and meant to refer to, see here. I think this is probably the moral equivalent of "always wear white gloves to church" these days.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:42 PM on January 5, 2005
For the kind of "smile technique" dogma I was thinking of and meant to refer to, see here. I think this is probably the moral equivalent of "always wear white gloves to church" these days.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:42 PM on January 5, 2005
Actually it was more like slicing some gum off to reveal more tooth. This would raise the gumline, and in the process, the dentist wanted to make sure all the gums over the incisors were even with each other.
ooky indeed!
posted by scarabic at 1:48 PM on January 5, 2005
ooky indeed!
posted by scarabic at 1:48 PM on January 5, 2005
And scarabic, I know you didn't mean to, but you just made me feel even worse because I thought the whole "no gums in photographs" was a completely arbitrary convention (like "no white shirts on television"), not that there are people who actually try to make people feel that their gums are unattractive, or that other people's smiles are freaky because they expose (gasp!) gums.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:51 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:51 PM on January 5, 2005
There's an unseemly amount of gum-hatred going on here.
posted by chicobangs at 2:05 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by chicobangs at 2:05 PM on January 5, 2005
Why the gum-phobia, anyway?
I agree with sciurus and scarabic that ms. cirocco's open-mouthed smile is extraordinarily cute, regardless of what my grandmother, headshot photographers, and those beauty-pageant guys would say. And I think that big smiles, in general, are really appealing.
Are there actually sane people who are freaked out by the sight of other people's gums? Is this some new thing I'm supposed to be worried about, like the whole "shaving pubic hair" thing? I'm barely keeping up with the whole "Crest White Strips" mania, and now I have to become obsessed with gum-grooming?
Between the eyebrow grooming and the vulva smoothness and the tooth-whiteness and now perhaps the gum contouring...where will it end?
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:13 PM on January 5, 2005
I agree with sciurus and scarabic that ms. cirocco's open-mouthed smile is extraordinarily cute, regardless of what my grandmother, headshot photographers, and those beauty-pageant guys would say. And I think that big smiles, in general, are really appealing.
Are there actually sane people who are freaked out by the sight of other people's gums? Is this some new thing I'm supposed to be worried about, like the whole "shaving pubic hair" thing? I'm barely keeping up with the whole "Crest White Strips" mania, and now I have to become obsessed with gum-grooming?
Between the eyebrow grooming and the vulva smoothness and the tooth-whiteness and now perhaps the gum contouring...where will it end?
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:13 PM on January 5, 2005
Gall Bladder Tattoos. That's where it will end.
Once people see the perfect image (an anchor, maybe a heart that says 'Wino Forever') on their gall bladders during elective surgery, they will know to stop this madness right there, and only then will everyone, young and old, hip and square, hot and not, be happy with who they Really Are, and then we can start with the sex and the killin'.
Hang on, y'all. That shining day is surely high.
posted by chicobangs at 2:21 PM on January 5, 2005
Once people see the perfect image (an anchor, maybe a heart that says 'Wino Forever') on their gall bladders during elective surgery, they will know to stop this madness right there, and only then will everyone, young and old, hip and square, hot and not, be happy with who they Really Are, and then we can start with the sex and the killin'.
Hang on, y'all. That shining day is surely high.
posted by chicobangs at 2:21 PM on January 5, 2005
Well, I want everyone here to know that my Islets of Langerhans are smokin'.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:24 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:24 PM on January 5, 2005
(I typed this in this morning, then went out for a while intending to edit it when I got back, only to find most of what I had to say had been superseded by intervening posts. Well, read it or don't.)
There is probably not a woman present who has not been given the backhanded compliment of You're pretty, but you'd look so much better if you would X, where the value of X is "lose ten pounds" or "wear contacts rather than glasses," or "cut off your hair." I cannot believe that any woman reading has not been the target of such subtle barbs and therefore it is difficult for me to swallow the idea that this one was innocently conveyed.
So Sidhedevil, I find your "I was trying to make a comment on the weird convention of people commenting on others' appearances" to be really unlikely. It wasn't quite overstated enough for that explanation to fly. (Although I do profess to being flabbergasted that any thinking person would characterize two hours spent relearning to smile daintily as a "most useful lesson." More useful than driving? Than her potty training, for that matter?) I'm kind of tired of watching you fall on your sword, though, so I guess I accept your apology.
More generally: When delivered privately, such "pretty, but" statements are already controlling and poisonous, instilling paranoia; they serve to let a woman know that there is no good enough, that even if she is genetically fortunate enough to fit the contemporary societal mold of "pretty," things she never even considered needed correcting will still be scrutinized, and somehow open to critique by strangers. Are we not already hobbled enough by intense self-awareness?
When delivered publicly, as this was, this "advice" takes on an even more insidious tone. It brings a very personal critique into an arena where it is assumed to be a matter of public interest, an acceptable source of general conversation and debate; the beautification of women becomes like unto the beautification of a city arboretum, both there primarily for viewing by the general populace. When women do it to one another it particularly galls me.
This whole thing makes me want to hurl Naomi Wolf tomes at someone's head.
posted by cirocco at 2:28 PM on January 5, 2005 [1 favorite]
There is probably not a woman present who has not been given the backhanded compliment of You're pretty, but you'd look so much better if you would X, where the value of X is "lose ten pounds" or "wear contacts rather than glasses," or "cut off your hair." I cannot believe that any woman reading has not been the target of such subtle barbs and therefore it is difficult for me to swallow the idea that this one was innocently conveyed.
So Sidhedevil, I find your "I was trying to make a comment on the weird convention of people commenting on others' appearances" to be really unlikely. It wasn't quite overstated enough for that explanation to fly. (Although I do profess to being flabbergasted that any thinking person would characterize two hours spent relearning to smile daintily as a "most useful lesson." More useful than driving? Than her potty training, for that matter?) I'm kind of tired of watching you fall on your sword, though, so I guess I accept your apology.
More generally: When delivered privately, such "pretty, but" statements are already controlling and poisonous, instilling paranoia; they serve to let a woman know that there is no good enough, that even if she is genetically fortunate enough to fit the contemporary societal mold of "pretty," things she never even considered needed correcting will still be scrutinized, and somehow open to critique by strangers. Are we not already hobbled enough by intense self-awareness?
When delivered publicly, as this was, this "advice" takes on an even more insidious tone. It brings a very personal critique into an arena where it is assumed to be a matter of public interest, an acceptable source of general conversation and debate; the beautification of women becomes like unto the beautification of a city arboretum, both there primarily for viewing by the general populace. When women do it to one another it particularly galls me.
This whole thing makes me want to hurl Naomi Wolf tomes at someone's head.
posted by cirocco at 2:28 PM on January 5, 2005 [1 favorite]
I don't know, I'm actually not very hobbled by "intense self-awareness" except when I unwittingly offend someone--and, as said above, I thought that a) gums were considered completely value-neutral (though scarabic's story turned me on to them, er, not being), and b) yes, I thought the fact that I characterized a two-hour smile lesson as "useful" would have been enough to tip off the reader that it was, indeed, sarcastic. I know realize that that, too, was wrong.
However, if I had had any awareness that anyone on Earth actually considered gums unpretty, or that there was any way of displaying one's gums that was considered by anyone to be unattractive by any standards other than what I thought was an arbitrary photographers' convention, then I would certainly not have made that joke.
And I have certainly personally been advised to lose ten (or more) pounds, gain ten (or more) pounds, wear contacts rather than glasses, cut off my hair, grow my hair, dye my hair, wear shorter skirts, shave my pubic hair, not shave my pubic hair, have my eyebrows shaped more dramatically, have my eyebrows shaped less dramatically, wear more makeup, wear less makeup, etc.
As I said above, it's delightful to look at everyone in those photos because everyone in them is a dynamic, engaged person having a good time. That was the point I meant to make.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:49 PM on January 5, 2005
However, if I had had any awareness that anyone on Earth actually considered gums unpretty, or that there was any way of displaying one's gums that was considered by anyone to be unattractive by any standards other than what I thought was an arbitrary photographers' convention, then I would certainly not have made that joke.
And I have certainly personally been advised to lose ten (or more) pounds, gain ten (or more) pounds, wear contacts rather than glasses, cut off my hair, grow my hair, dye my hair, wear shorter skirts, shave my pubic hair, not shave my pubic hair, have my eyebrows shaped more dramatically, have my eyebrows shaped less dramatically, wear more makeup, wear less makeup, etc.
As I said above, it's delightful to look at everyone in those photos because everyone in them is a dynamic, engaged person having a good time. That was the point I meant to make.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:49 PM on January 5, 2005
(I now realize that that, too, was wrong)
Oh, and I left out the time when I was on a first date with someone who encouraged me to get a breast-reduction operation. Yes, I think that our society's tolerance for hectoring women about their appearance is way too high, hence my joking about it.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:51 PM on January 5, 2005
Oh, and I left out the time when I was on a first date with someone who encouraged me to get a breast-reduction operation. Yes, I think that our society's tolerance for hectoring women about their appearance is way too high, hence my joking about it.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:51 PM on January 5, 2005
And I don't think "many others" were confused about my comment (I count two)
Um, make that three. I had no idea you were joking, and was quite taken aback (though relieved) when you said so. But don't feel too bad -- you're only one of many, many people here who make what they consider jokes in too dry a tone and get slapped down for it. Hell, I'm pretty sure I've done it myself.
This is a weird thread. Gums??
posted by languagehat at 3:34 PM on January 5, 2005
Um, make that three. I had no idea you were joking, and was quite taken aback (though relieved) when you said so. But don't feel too bad -- you're only one of many, many people here who make what they consider jokes in too dry a tone and get slapped down for it. Hell, I'm pretty sure I've done it myself.
This is a weird thread. Gums??
posted by languagehat at 3:34 PM on January 5, 2005
I agree with sciurus and scarabic that ms. cirocco's open-mouthed smile is extraordinarily cute
Did I even say this? It would seem extraordinarily hard to make you believe this, Sidhedevil, but I honestly didn't even register which of the people in the pics you were talking about. It didn't particularly matter to me who it was, nor did I bother to compare everyone's ages. Yeesh. The initial comment was one thing but I have to say I'm actually a little offended by the subsequent business about how I side with the young cute one because she's hot and side against you because you're old and busted. Come on!
posted by scarabic at 4:19 PM on January 5, 2005
Did I even say this? It would seem extraordinarily hard to make you believe this, Sidhedevil, but I honestly didn't even register which of the people in the pics you were talking about. It didn't particularly matter to me who it was, nor did I bother to compare everyone's ages. Yeesh. The initial comment was one thing but I have to say I'm actually a little offended by the subsequent business about how I side with the young cute one because she's hot and side against you because you're old and busted. Come on!
posted by scarabic at 4:19 PM on January 5, 2005
why be cute when you can look boss?
That would be cool, if I looked boss.
posted by kindall at 4:38 PM on January 5, 2005
That would be cool, if I looked boss.
posted by kindall at 4:38 PM on January 5, 2005
Make it four. I often disagree with Sidhedevil and was clear long ago that she and I think in very different ways, but I was still truly taken aback. It seemed so blatantly mean-spirited, direct, and unprovoked that the only explanation I could come up with was that Sidhedevil had something deeply personal against cirocco, e.g. blamed her for a divorce. The fact that this appeared in a thread as originally inoccuous as this one, i.e. a meetup thread, made it seem like not just an attack but a full-on sucker punch. It didn't even occur to me that Sidhedevil was joking, and looking back at the comment, it still doesn't look like she was.
posted by bingo at 4:50 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by bingo at 4:50 PM on January 5, 2005
GumGate!
Yep, bingo, you've caught on to my secret plan for demeaning others by making mean-spirited jokes about their gums. I'm a terrible, awful person and I meant every word of it seriously.
In fact, I'm surprised you didn't come up with the obvious explanation--I'm jealous of cirocco's beautiful gums because my own gums are unsightly. With this in mind, I've lurked around the internets for years, hoping against hope that she would post a picture of herself with a wide, happy smile so that I could taunt her about her gums.
I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for those meddling kids.
scarabic, I think I conflated yours and sciurus's posts. I really am sorry. This whole thing is like my worst nightmare come true--I make what I think is an innocuous joke that nobody would ever take seriously, it hurts someone's feelings, which is absolutely not what I intend (bingo, pay no attention to this, it's just Part of My Cunning Plan) and then I just flail around making matters worse.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:07 PM on January 5, 2005
Yep, bingo, you've caught on to my secret plan for demeaning others by making mean-spirited jokes about their gums. I'm a terrible, awful person and I meant every word of it seriously.
In fact, I'm surprised you didn't come up with the obvious explanation--I'm jealous of cirocco's beautiful gums because my own gums are unsightly. With this in mind, I've lurked around the internets for years, hoping against hope that she would post a picture of herself with a wide, happy smile so that I could taunt her about her gums.
I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for those meddling kids.
scarabic, I think I conflated yours and sciurus's posts. I really am sorry. This whole thing is like my worst nightmare come true--I make what I think is an innocuous joke that nobody would ever take seriously, it hurts someone's feelings, which is absolutely not what I intend (bingo, pay no attention to this, it's just Part of My Cunning Plan) and then I just flail around making matters worse.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:07 PM on January 5, 2005
"... someone who encouraged me to get a breast-reduction operation..."
Sick bastard.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:22 PM on January 5, 2005
Sick bastard.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:22 PM on January 5, 2005
Well, thanks for that vote of confidence, bingo! If I had the slightest idea who you are, I suppose my feelings might be hurt. Would that make you happy?
Yes, I was drunk and decided to insult the gums of a woman about whom I know three things: she lives in the Seattle area, she is a photographer (and I might be wrong about that), and she posts, or has posted, on 3WA.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:24 PM on January 5, 2005
Yes, I was drunk and decided to insult the gums of a woman about whom I know three things: she lives in the Seattle area, she is a photographer (and I might be wrong about that), and she posts, or has posted, on 3WA.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:24 PM on January 5, 2005
Five. Whee! Sidhedevil, this is the exact same thing that caused the scuffle between you and me some years back. You upset me tremendously, and instead of just apologizing and moving on, you came at me from a ton of different angles, explaining over and over again your position. Sometimes, you just need to accept that might have hurt or insulted someone.
posted by astruc at 5:29 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by astruc at 5:29 PM on January 5, 2005
Yes, I think that I have accepted and apologized, both. And tried to explain why I was so incredibly dumbfounded that my stupid comment was perceived as hurtful. It's true that it's hard for me to let it go when I have hurt someone's feelings, because I really really really hate doing it.
And my memory of our "scuffle", ms. astruc, was that you and I exchanged two emails over a difference of opinion about what I (perhaps wrongly) perceived as someone's quite direct and pointed attacks on me on your website. Following which, I donated quite a bit of money to keep said website going. I guess I'm just a petty, vindictive person.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:40 PM on January 5, 2005
And my memory of our "scuffle", ms. astruc, was that you and I exchanged two emails over a difference of opinion about what I (perhaps wrongly) perceived as someone's quite direct and pointed attacks on me on your website. Following which, I donated quite a bit of money to keep said website going. I guess I'm just a petty, vindictive person.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:40 PM on January 5, 2005
I'd be happy to refund your money if you don't think your use of the site merited what you gave.
posted by astruc at 6:00 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by astruc at 6:00 PM on January 5, 2005
Well, at least the whole gum thing got people away from ribbing me over the "act hot" comment. Thanks Sidhedevil!
posted by agropyron at 6:00 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by agropyron at 6:00 PM on January 5, 2005
Who knew that MeFi meetups could be so fraught with social peril?
Sign me up for two!
posted by DaShiv at 6:06 PM on January 5, 2005
Sign me up for two!
posted by DaShiv at 6:06 PM on January 5, 2005
I don't think there has been enough peril. Next time, we need to juggle flaming shoutouts.
posted by astruc at 6:22 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by astruc at 6:22 PM on January 5, 2005
I didn't come because I don't want my picture taken and posted online. But it might have nipped most of the wow, they're all so good looking crap in the bud.
posted by y2karl at 6:49 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by y2karl at 6:49 PM on January 5, 2005
Sheesh, what a bunch of drama queens. I'm going back to San Francisco.
posted by caitlinb at 7:13 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by caitlinb at 7:13 PM on January 5, 2005
If you don't want your picture posted online, y2k, I certainly would have respected that, and I'm certain the rest of the crew would have too. Don't let it keep you away.
posted by kindall at 7:22 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by kindall at 7:22 PM on January 5, 2005
Well, thanks for that vote of confidence, bingo! If I had the slightest idea who you are, I suppose my feelings might be hurt. Would that make you happy?
...but since, like cirocco, I'm basically a question mark to you, our interaction has no meaning, and doesn't have to be based on any sort of truth or consistency? I joined the argument after you indicated that only two people had spoken up against you, and at the time it sure seemed like you cared (although, as we've established, determining whether or not this is the case is quite difficult). Apparently, once the tide turns against you, the criteria changes.
posted by bingo at 8:20 PM on January 5, 2005
...but since, like cirocco, I'm basically a question mark to you, our interaction has no meaning, and doesn't have to be based on any sort of truth or consistency? I joined the argument after you indicated that only two people had spoken up against you, and at the time it sure seemed like you cared (although, as we've established, determining whether or not this is the case is quite difficult). Apparently, once the tide turns against you, the criteria changes.
posted by bingo at 8:20 PM on January 5, 2005
it might have nipped most of the wow, they're all so good looking crap in the bud.
The fact that Danelope is so horribly unattractive should serve as an effective gauge for the accuracy of "they're all so good looking". His hideousness is the yardstick by which all shall be measured.
posted by Danelope at 8:52 PM on January 5, 2005
The fact that Danelope is so horribly unattractive should serve as an effective gauge for the accuracy of "they're all so good looking". His hideousness is the yardstick by which all shall be measured.
posted by Danelope at 8:52 PM on January 5, 2005
No, no, I am the bottom of the barrel, Dan. Really, I must insist.
posted by kindall at 9:17 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by kindall at 9:17 PM on January 5, 2005
I'm afraid you're mistaken, dear Jerry, for I have not one but two penises projecting from my forehead.
posted by Danelope at 10:16 PM on January 5, 2005
posted by Danelope at 10:16 PM on January 5, 2005
Sidhedevil: See, the whole "it was a photography in-joke!" version still has me scratching my pretty-but-for-one-thing head because
a) I've been posting on this site for all of five minutes and don't know you from Adam, so there was no reason to think you were making sly reference to my freelance photography work from the mid-nineties (with few exceptions, my work is no longer online), and
b) This gumless-grinning guideline for portraits is not exactly in the forefront of every photographer's head like, say, the Rule of Thirds. (I never followed it myself; I actually had a repertoire of jokes that I would use to elicit genuine, even gums-visible, smiles from subjects, because a false, pretty smile is still notably false.)
Put these two together and it's evident why I did not chuckle to myself and say, "Oh, it's my old gal-pal Sidhedevil giving me a shout-out! W00t or something." My reaction was more akin to "Who is this exacting little snot, and why is she behaving like a female foot-soldier of the patriarchy?" Only less strident.
This fresh realization that you and I have occupied the same forum before makes me wonder if you aren't trying to needle me in order to salve some old wound. I guarantee you I have already forgotten how I ever gave you offense, if indeed that is what it is. Otherwise, you've got some bizarre chain of logic going on, or you just get your rocks of being catty, whether you are consciously aware of your cattiness or not.
Danelope & kindall, I'm sick to death of your spurious arguing over who is the most unattractive after you were both specifically invited by me to the feminine end of the table. Do I appear to have low standards? Then shut your cute little traps. Your gums are showing.
posted by cirocco at 11:27 PM on January 5, 2005
a) I've been posting on this site for all of five minutes and don't know you from Adam, so there was no reason to think you were making sly reference to my freelance photography work from the mid-nineties (with few exceptions, my work is no longer online), and
b) This gumless-grinning guideline for portraits is not exactly in the forefront of every photographer's head like, say, the Rule of Thirds. (I never followed it myself; I actually had a repertoire of jokes that I would use to elicit genuine, even gums-visible, smiles from subjects, because a false, pretty smile is still notably false.)
Put these two together and it's evident why I did not chuckle to myself and say, "Oh, it's my old gal-pal Sidhedevil giving me a shout-out! W00t or something." My reaction was more akin to "Who is this exacting little snot, and why is she behaving like a female foot-soldier of the patriarchy?" Only less strident.
This fresh realization that you and I have occupied the same forum before makes me wonder if you aren't trying to needle me in order to salve some old wound. I guarantee you I have already forgotten how I ever gave you offense, if indeed that is what it is. Otherwise, you've got some bizarre chain of logic going on, or you just get your rocks of being catty, whether you are consciously aware of your cattiness or not.
Danelope & kindall, I'm sick to death of your spurious arguing over who is the most unattractive after you were both specifically invited by me to the feminine end of the table. Do I appear to have low standards? Then shut your cute little traps. Your gums are showing.
posted by cirocco at 11:27 PM on January 5, 2005
Hey! I didn't get invited to your end of the table! Does that mean...? No...say isn't so!
*sniff*
Wow. Fraught with peril indeed...
posted by black8 at 11:47 PM on January 5, 2005
*sniff*
Wow. Fraught with peril indeed...
posted by black8 at 11:47 PM on January 5, 2005
SEATTLE - Seattle has been named the fittest city in the United States in the February issue of Men's Fitness magazine, leaping past the buff competition from Honolulu, Colorado Springs, San Francisco and Denver.
We are hotties! Woo!
posted by agropyron at 11:39 AM on January 6, 2005
We are hotties! Woo!
posted by agropyron at 11:39 AM on January 6, 2005
Seattle has been named the fittest city in the United States...
Does this mean I can throw another bagel in the toaster?
posted by fatllama at 3:14 PM on January 6, 2005
Does this mean I can throw another bagel in the toaster?
posted by fatllama at 3:14 PM on January 6, 2005
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posted by seanyboy at 12:15 PM on January 4, 2005